Switch and means for operating same.



No. 627,883. Patented June, 27, I899. T. A. SMITH. SWITCH AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME.

(Application filed Mgr. 13, 1899.|

2 Sheets$heet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 627,883. Patented june 27, I899.

T. A. SMITH.

SWITCH AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME. 7

(Application filed Mar. 13, 1899.) m0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I I :a- 17 7&O/7206' 5/72/72 UNITED STATES PATE T @FFICE.

THOMAS A. SMITH, OFAZUSA, CALIFORNIA.-

SWITCH AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 627,883, dated June 27, 1899 Application filed March 13, 1899. Serial No. 708,925. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, THOMAS A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing'at Azusa,

' in the countyof Los Angeles and State of Calithe cars and locomotives upon said tramways' and railroads having a device attached thereto to operate the switch automatically.

The main object of my invention is the provisionof a switch which has a simple mechanism which is operated to close the frog to 05m a switch and devices to cause the mechanism to assume its normal'or open position.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a switch and mechanism to operate the same which is the embodiment of simplicity, durability, and inexpensiveness, as well as a very thorough, efficient, and practical device.

To attain the desired objects, the invention consists of a switch and an operating mechanism therefor embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts substantially as disclosed herein.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a tramway-track, showing my improved switch and a car carryingthe operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion ofatrack,showingmyimproved switch. Fig. i

3 is a bottomvplan view of the switch and its mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the switch-operator as carried by the carplatt'orm.

In the drawings, A designates a base having mounted thereon the track-rails B, and in the center of this base between the tracks is the arc-shaped opening or slot 0, upon both sides of which and secured to the top of the base are the switch-operator guiding-strips D and E. Near one of the rails is the switchrail F, having a slot G, in which is pivotally secured the frog or switch H,which has formed integral therewith and depending therefrom through the rectangular opening J in the base the lug or abutment K, against which contacts the free end of the flat spring L, having its rigid end secured inthe block L, upon the under side of the base, this spring being adapted to hold the switch or frog open. To throw the switch into use or close the frog, I employ the long arm or lever M, which is pivoted in its center, and thereby secured to the under side of the base by means of the pin or pivot M, said lever having a pin or projection N, carrying the revoluble collar or band 0 upon one end, adapted to pass upward through the arc-shaped slot 0, and a recessed cut-away portion P in its other end, a pin or projection Q, being near this extreme end and j ust projecting so that its top is flush with the upper surface of the lever.

Pivotally secured, by means of the pin R, to

the under side of the base near the recessed o endof the lever is the frog-operating dog or hammer S, whose head S is adapted to strike against the lug of the switch-frog, when the recessed end of the lever is moved, as the pin Q slides in the long slot T, formed in the dog,

and causes the said dog to move into and out of contact with the projection of the frog as the lever is moved by the runner U, swingingly hung upon the car-platform by means of the journals or bearing V and the arms V,

said runner being thrown into and out of use by'means of the long curved lever W, carrying the spring-controlled dog, rod, and handlever-catching device X, the dog of which is adapted to engage the notched plate Y. This lever W is journal'ed in the notched plate Y and' the bracket Z, both of which are secured upon the upper side of the platform of a car, As this runner is lowered and enters the space between the guide strips D and E and has 0 passed through same the spring Z returns the lever M to its normal position, thus causing the switch to be released and opened.

From this description, taken in connection with the drawings, the operation of my device 5 ward to lower the runner, which enters the space between the guide-strips and contacts the projection upon the end of the lever M, upon which is the friction-reducing collar. The lever is then pushedforward, causing the dog or hammer to-contact the lug of the frog, which is "closed to form the switch, and as the runner disengages with the projection of the lever the springs L and Z. return the frog and lever M,respectively, thus opening the switch. The lever carrying the runner on the car is then pushed forward, which raises the runner out of use.

It is clearly evident that I provide a simple, durable, and cheap switch and an operating mechanism therefor which is thoroughly efficient and practical and very useful.

I claim- 1. In combination with a switch, consisting of a base-plate provided with a curved slot and a rectangular opening therethrough, a lever pivoted to the under side of said plate, nprojction uponone end of said lever adapt- "ed to fit and slide in said slot of the plate, a pih cari'ied by the other end of said lever, a strike'rbr hammer pivoted to the under side oftheplate and provided with a long slot, in which-said pm of the lever is adapted to fit landslide, afrog pivoted to a rail upon the upper-side of the plate and havinga'depending lug entering said rectangular opening of the .pl'a'te, and springs upon the under side of th'e plate adapted to hold the lever and frog while not inuse, of a switch-operatin g device '2 sta es carried by a car or locomotive adapted to contact and close the switch.

2. In combination with a switch, consisting of a base-plate provided with a curved slot and a rectangular opening therethrough, a lever pivoted to the under side of said plate, a projection upon one end of said lever adapted to fit and slide in said slot of the plate, a pin carried by the other end of the lever, a striker or hammer pivoted to the under side of said plate and provided with a long slot in which said pin of the lever fits and slides, a frog pivoted to a rail upon the upper side of the plate and having a depending lug enterin g said rectangular opening of the plate, and springs upon the under side of the plate adapted to hold the lever and frog while not in use, of a switch-operating device adapted to be carried by a caror locomotive, consisting of a long runner pivotally or swinginglyconnectcd to the under side of said car or locomotive, and a handle connected with said runnerand adapted to hold it in and out of use.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS A. SMITH.

Witnesses:

E. F. TAYLOR, J. W. JEFFREY. 

